programmed to interrogate and poke patients unfortunate enough to be in his range. batteries not included.
Last year my life changed in so many ways,
This year the path ahead seems clearer by the day.
Next year a year full of hopes and dreams,
Yet I kept wishing yesterday would stay.
"Do you have a minute?" My consultant appeared out of the blue from behind me, pulling my attention away from the computer detailing the patient's vital signs. "Can we go into the office?"
"Uh, sure, of course." I wasn't exactly sure what he wanted with me. Did I do something wrong? Have I forgotten something important? Maybe he just have another job for me to do on the ward.
I sat down on a swivel chair in the cramped office. He positioned himself onto the 'Consultant's chair', just as every ITU consultant does in the morning during the handover. A huge smile break out across his face. There's a reason he's my favourite consultant on the unit.
"We just wanted you to know, all your hard work has not gone unnoticed. You are an excellent worker, Chye. There may be other more senior trainees who are louder than you, but we do see what you've done. You're a very valuable member to the team. Keep up the good work. That's all." He said with an unfading smile.
I was pretty much surprised and wasn't sure what to say except to thank him. I've been working here for almost a year now, and have been grateful to be given the chance to learn and gain experience under some of these great consultants. I was only just quietly doing my job in return for the privilege.
This was unexpected to say the least, but such small gestures meant a huge lot. Since working here, I could feel my confidence actually grow by the day.
It's all I could say in return, but I meant it from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you.
I guess there's only so much one could do. Not going to be hopeful.
Pessimistic? No, I'm just a realist.
And life goes on. Que sera sera.
She looked at me in the eyes as I introduced myself. She made an attempt to smile, or at least that's what I thought.
"We'll need to do a blood test today," I mentioned casually, as I have done hundreds of times before.
"Just a small scratch." She looked away, just as her relatives drop by to visit her in hospital. Great. I never liked being watched inflicting pain.
I walked around the bed to her other arm, the one which did not have a bag of salt water attached to it. As I grabbed her arm to move it into position, she let out a whimper which took me by surprise. Half the day I have been on the ward, she has not made a sound.
You see, the contractures were so severe she is permanently in a curled up position. She is at the terminal stage of the disease, trapped in her own body. I try not to imagine how she must be feeling.
"I'm so sorry," I blurted repeatedly as I try not to cause any more distress. Then as the needle goes in, she let out another whimper with tears forming in her eyes.
I've not done many things worth me mulling over, but honestly, I've never felt so bad in this life.
It would have been your 30th birthday earlier this week. Rest in peace.
I had wondered what would I be thinking if that had been me. If I had been struck by a sudden illness and told I only have weeks to live. Contemplating my own mortality, and how we won't be here in this world for ever is pretty morbid for some. For me, it made me look at my life, or what's left of it.
26 years of existence, and there is still too much I want to do here, too much I want to experience, too much I want to feel. The thing is, if I don't go out and do them, all I would do is just sit at home wishing I had ticked more entries on my bucket list.
That was actually what I was thinking about during my 1-hour 10km run last Sunday at the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow. Missed my target by 2 minutes 22 seconds! Rainbow puking unicorns. Also I figured there wouldn't be a better time than any to start doing things I actually wanted to do.
And thus was born a new tag for my blog posts, aptly named "bucket list". I'll add to it and cross it off as I waste more of my limited time here.
Will start with a short list first as it is a very lovely Saturday morning (you don't know how rare that is in Scotland) and I'm too lazy. First on the list, I'm aiming to combine 2 loves and 1 phobia - a triathlon before my 30th birthday! And other smaller achievements leading up to that:
Official senaiboy's bucket list
Triathlon
Marathon
Half-marathon
Pedal for Scotland 47-mile cycle 2013
Sleep at least 12 hours a day
Conquer my attention span of a gnat
So is this the ending those of you who denied his right wanted?
I hope you're happy now.
Rest in peace, Tony. Life was not fair to you, but neither were we as fellow human beings. You have been a true fighter and shown great courage when the rest of us would not be able to. Lots of love from a stranger.
--
I sincerely apologise if anyone is offended but I just have to let it out. Yes, I have very strong feelings regarding this issue.
I have been following Tony Nicklinson's story for the last year or so, and personally I feel it is not right to force him to go through what he has gone through. If by any chance I ever end up in his position, I'd want to know I have the right to end my own misery.
It really broke my heart when I saw the video of him crying after the court decision was announced last week.
I felt that has broken him, as he refused food or treatment for pneumonia after that. He eventually escaped the prison that is his body, but it didn't have to end this way.
There has to be a more dignified way.
Disclaimer: This is my own personal opinion and does not reflect my professional conduct in any way.